Thomson's Tech Tips

When to Replace Your SDI Cables: Signs It's Time
SDI cables don't die all at once. They die slow, then all at once, and the "all at once" always picks the worst possible moment. Usually a live switch. Usually with a client standing behind you. So the real skill isn't fixing a dead cable. It's pulling a cable BEFORE it takes a show down. Here's how I make that call. Pull it now. No debate. Some damage means the cable comes out of the kit today. Not "after this one gig." Today. You can see copper. If the jacket... Read more...
Every RED Camera Ever Made: A Complete Guide
From the camera that kicked the industry's door down to the latest flagship, here's every RED body. What it shoots, what it needs, and the stuff the spec sheet won't tell you. The one that started a war RED ONE (2007) The original troublemaker. The camera that made Hollywood look up from their Panavision catalogs and say "wait, what?" Sensor: Mysterium (the Mysterium-X upgrade came later) Resolution: 4K (4096 × 2304) SDI Output: HD-SDI only (1.5G) The Deal: Jim Jannard basically walked into Hollywood, said "4K for under $20K," and... Read more...
Every ARRI Digital Camera: D-21 to ALEXA 35
ARRI doesn't chase trends. They wait until they can do it right, then drop something the whole industry pivots around. Here's every digital cinema body they've ever shipped, and what actually matters about each one. The digital pioneer ARRIFLEX D-20 / D-21 (2005/2008) This is before ALEXA existed, back when "the ARRI look" wasn't yet the most expensive compliment in cinematography. The D-20 and D-21 were ARRI's first real swings at digital. The D-21 refined the idea with a PL mount and tighter integration. Both are museum pieces now, so... Read more...
Reading SDI Cable Specs: What Actually Matters
Cable spec sheets can look like alphabet soup: AWG, dB, MHz, RG—what does any of it actually mean for your shoots? Understanding which specifications matter (and which are mostly marketing) helps you make better buying decisions and troubleshoot problems when they arise. Here's a practical guide to reading SDI cable specifications without needing an engineering degree. The Specifications That Actually Matter 1. Bandwidth Rating (MHz or Gbps) This is the most critical spec for SDI cables. It determines what signal types the cable can reliably carry. What the numbers mean:... Read more...
What Cable Lengths Should You Own? A Practical Guide
One of the most common questions when building a cable kit: "What lengths do I actually need?" Buy too few options and you're constantly daisy-chaining or running cables that are too long. Buy too many and you're carrying weight you'll never use. Here's a practical breakdown of what lengths make sense for different shooting scenarios and how to build a versatile kit without going overboard. The Core Principle: Coverage Without Redundancy The goal is to cover the distances you'll commonly encounter with the minimum number of cables. Every cable you... Read more...
SDI Cable Care: How to Make Your Investment Last
Quality SDI cables are built to last, but "built to last" and "will last forever no matter what" are different things. How you handle, store, and maintain your cables directly impacts how long they'll deliver reliable performance. Here's how to protect your investment and keep your cables working like new for years. Coiling: The Single Most Important Habit The way you coil your cables affects their lifespan more than almost anything else. Do it wrong, and you're slowly destroying your cables every time you wrap them up. The over-under technique:... Read more...
The Real Cost of Cheap Cables: A Rental House Perspective
When you're building out your cable kit, budget matters. But after years of testing cables—both on my own shoots and seeing what comes back from rentals—I've learned that the math on "cheap" cables rarely works out the way you'd expect. Here's what the true cost of budget cables looks like when you factor in everything that matters on a professional set. The Upfront Savings Illusion A 25-foot 12G-SDI cable from a budget brand might cost $40. A premium equivalent runs $80-120. That's a significant difference, especially when you're buying multiples.... Read more...
BNC Connectors Explained: Crimp vs Compression vs Solder
Every SDI cable ends with a BNC connector. But not all BNC connectors are created equal. The termination method—how the connector attaches to the cable—affects durability, signal quality, and serviceability. Here's what you need to know about the three main types: crimp, compression, and solder. Crimp Connectors Crimp connectors use a specialized tool to mechanically squeeze the connector onto the cable. The crimp creates a permanent bond between connector and cable jacket. The good: Fast to install with the right tools. Consistent results once you've mastered the technique. Good for... Read more...
Building Your First Professional Cable Kit
You just landed your first gig as a camera operator. Or maybe you're transitioning from renting to owning. Either way, you're staring at cable catalogs wondering: what do I actually need? Building a professional cable kit isn't about buying everything—it's about buying the right things. Here's how to build a kit that covers real-world scenarios without breaking the bank. Start With the Essentials Before you buy a single cable, answer these questions: What camera system do you shoot? What monitors and recorders do you use? What's your typical setup distance... Read more...
SDI Cable Troubleshooting: Is It the Cable or Something Else?
The monitor's showing sparkles. Or black. Or some weird artifact that shouldn't be there. Before you start swapping cables, let's figure out what's actually broken. The Troubleshooting Mindset Signal problems have three possible sources: The source (camera, playback device) The cable (and connectors) The destination (monitor, recorder, switcher) Cables get blamed for everything, but they're only responsible for about a third of problems. Before you condemn a cable, rule out the other two. Symptoms and What They Actually Mean Complete Black/No Signal Likely causes: Source isn't outputting (wrong output selected,... Read more...
How to Test Your SDI Cables: A Field Guide
Your cable looks fine. The connectors are tight. But something's wrong with the signal. Is it the cable? Or something else entirely? Here's how to know for sure. The Quick Visual Inspection Before you grab any tools, look at the cable: Connector damage: Bent pins, cracked housings, loose BNC locks Cable damage: Kinks, crush points, cuts in the jacket Strain relief: Is the cable pulling away from the connector? Corrosion: Green or white buildup on the connectors If you see any of these, you've probably found your problem. But invisible... Read more...
Why Quality SDI Cables Cost More (And Why It's Worth It)
You're looking at a $15 Amazon cable and a $60 professional cable. Same BNC connectors. Same coax. Why the 4x price difference? Let me break down exactly where your money goes. The Components That Actually Matter 1. The Center Conductor Cheap cable: Copper-clad steel (CCS). A thin layer of copper over a steel core. Looks like copper. Conducts like... not copper. Quality cable: Solid copper or bare copper braid. Copper all the way through. Better conductivity, less signal loss, more flexibility without breaking. CCS cables lose noticeably more signal over... Read more...